Pope Francis: A second revealing interview in as many weeks

Souvenir balloons with the image of Pope Francis are diplayed ahead of the visit of Pope Francis on October 3, 2013 in Assisi, Italy. Pope Francis is due to venerate the tomb of San Francesco of Assisi Oct. 4

On Sept. 26 I posted a lengthy blog about an interview that Pope Francis had just given that was published simultaneously by Jesuit magazines around the world. I suggested that both the form and content of that remarkable interview helped us to understand that Francis was calling for a â€śparadigm shiftâ€ť in Catholicism â€“ not so much changing doctrines or rules, but shifting the ground of Catholic consciousness and purpose so that â€śpastoral outreachâ€ť to the world would have priority over â€śdoctrinalâ€ť concerns.

I urge you to read this second interview. If anything, it is more remarkable than the first â€“ more personal (especially as reported by Scalfari himself), more readable and even more an example of the kind of â€śpastoral outreachâ€ť and loving-but-challenging dialogue that the Pope wants the entire Catholic Church to embrace.

I do not think it is mere coincidence that this interview was published just as the â€śgroup of eightâ€ť Cardinals from around the world â€“ a group Francis has asked to advise him on needed reforms in the Vatican â€“ were first meeting in Rome. We donâ€™t know exactly what Francisâ€™ instructions to that group have been, nor will we probably know their recommendations for some time. Yet this interview, whether intentionally or not, clearly sets their agenda.

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